Time 29:58

In this second part of a conversation with Twitterville author, Shel Israel and I get into the strategy some companies can use to improve their business in social media. The short answer is be generous. We get into the rewards of being generous, some direct and some not. Trust among individuals practicing and advising in social media has to be pretty high these days. With so much generosity on the web (translate free information), the more providers have to trust they are not undercutting themselves.

I find that the generosity model still is working. Perhaps because this method of communicating and relationship building is different for each participant, each company, each employee representing a company, and each person engaging with each other.

I recently had a situation with Comcast during a tech call, the rep noticed that my package of services qualified for a lower rate and offered it up. Nice. Say do you think banks or credit card companies would do such a thing? It pays to be generous especially if you are in a subscriber relationship like cable. When the customer knows the company is looking out for his or her best interest, that’s called trust.

Personal Background

Shel Israel and I met online and we have a common interest as senior fellows at the Society for New Communications Research. We come from different political perspectives and view some aspects of social media differently. As I listened to our conversation while writing this post, it strikes me that the social web facilitated this civil, respectful relationship. The result of which is a discussion of issues I believe listeners will enjoy. Had it not been for the social web this relationship would never have happened. Schmaltzy?, maybe, but it underscores the ecosystem companies are trying to understand and participate. Hey Shel did I use the word Schmaltzy correctly?

Win a Copy of Twitterville

Enter the Marketing Edge podcast book contest by emailing me at Marketingedge@providentpartners.net with the word Twitterville in the subject line. We will announce a winner the week of October 5. Or take all the risk out of it and buy the book at www.Twitterville.com

The Marketing Edge is also available on Stitcher Radio

Time 24:46

Social media can bring people together, case in point, Albert Maruggi and Shel Israel. Two guys with little in common on the political spectrum, yet politics is something they exchanged online at first. They would have little chance to break bread except for their new found common ground called social media.

Is this that new? No, I spoke to the Rotary Club in Shakopee, MN and saw 50 people many of whom had little in common except living in the same locale and a desire to get involved before joining the Rotary. Over time, there is plenty to share.

Israel is one of the great conversationalists and story tellers. In his book Twitterville, Israel is at his storytelling best as his travels, online and off reveal the human impact of digital communications. Sappy you say, a little too soft for you corporate type A’s, listen how Nike and others are recreating the deceased mass market one consumer at a time.

In this podcast we take a high level view of the type of change taking place in communications and society. Our discussion is eye opening for companies who look at Twitter and other social channels as a shiny new object instead of a fundamental change in the way people engage each other and with organizations, companies, and government.

Israel reflects on the change social media has made on the initial meeting between individuals. Year’s ago a person’s business card and the company’s logo on that card would reflect on the person handing the card to you. Today, for those that are active in social communities, their individual reputation reflects on the company whose logo is on their business card.

Twitterville Book Drawing

This month, enter the Twitterville book drawing – Send an email to marketingedge@providentpartners.net put the word Twitterville in the subject line and we’ll include your name in a drawing for a copy of the book.

Last month, the winner of Trust Agents is Joe Mueller of Missouri and a frequent Marketing Edge listener. Thanks Joe, he too is a resident of Twitterville